You may know Newfoundland to be a large island in eastern Canada that, along with mainland Labrador, forms the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is known for its rugged coastlines, rich cultural heritage, icebergs and puffins.
I visited for my first time on a 8-day road trip through the province. I had the chance to take in the coastal cliffs, fjords, puffin colonies, vibrant fishing villages, and so much more. Here’s the full itinerary, complete with hikes, highlights, and hidden gems along the way. Feel free to customize this route to be your own by taking pieces of what I did, or follow this route exactly!
🗺️ View our route on Google Maps
Day 1: Arrival in St. John’s → Tors Cove
After landing in St. John’s at 5:30 PM, we picked up our rental car and headed straight out of the city toward the scenic coast of Tors Cove which is about a 1-hour drive. Nothing super crazy this day as we landed in the evening and didn’t want to drive in the dark, but our stay was super cozy and complete with a sauna that overlooks the ocean. We watched the sunset and kept our eyes peeled for whales.
Stay: Cliff’s Edge Retreat – Lodge Room L8
📍 9 Celtic Rendezvous, Tors Cove, NL
Day 2: Tors Cove → Gros Morne National Park
We hit the road when the sun was rising to make the long 8+ hour journey to Gros Morne (remember you can adjust this roadtrip to what works for you, we just wanted to get to the furthest point of our trip right away), with a quick scenic stop at Ochre Hill Viewpoint in Terra Nova National Park. The drive was long but felt good with all the stunning views. The changing landscapes kept things interesting. Be very cautious of any animals on the road, that is why we only drove during daylight.
Camping: Site OGP9 at Green Point, Gros Morne
Falling asleep to the sound of the ocean here was an experience in itself and there was a staircase that takes you right down to a rocky beach.
Day 3: Gros Morne
This was a full, big adventure day — and one of the highlights of the trip!
Morning:
🚤 Western Brook Pond Boat Tour (10am–12pm)
There’s a big parking lot where you do a 3km hike that brings you to the boat dock where you cruise through the dramatic fjords and waterfalls. A stunning, must-do experience.
Afternoon Stops:
- Arches Provincial Park – A quick roadside stop to see natural rock arches.
- Tablelands Trail (4km) – A surreal hike across the exposed Earth’s mantle. It truly felt like walking on Mars (when you hike on the offtrail). Great for anyone who appreciates a boardwalk as well!
- Lookout Trail (5.5km) – A rewarding climb to panoramic views over Bonne Bay.
Camping: Site C4 at Lomond Campground, Gros Morne
Another peaceful night under the stars, highly recommend this cabin as the views from it are stunning and you’re close to the bathroom/showers.
Day 4: Gros Morne → Twillingate → Gander
We said goodbye to Gros Morne and drove across the province to the coastal town of Twillingate, known for icebergs and whale sightings.
Stops:
- Long Point Lighthouse – Iconic photo op with sweeping ocean views. There’s also a hike here if it’s not too windy or cold.
- Crow’s Nest Café – Good coffee with an even better view.
- Spiller’s Cove / French Beach Hike (2.4km) – Short and sweet coastal trail with striking cliffs. We saw an Osprey in their nest. Highly recommend this one!
Overnight: Gander – Convenient stopover for our journey east on the next day.
Day 5: Gander → Elliston → Bonavista
This day was for the puffins and one for the books.
Stops:
- Dungeon Provincial Park – Sea caves and wild surf carved into the coast. The drive in is filled with potholes so take it slow, but cars and trucks alike can make it here.
- Elliston Puffin Viewing Site – One of the best land-based puffin spots in North America. Bring binoculars and your camera. This is a must-see!
- Klondike Trail / Spillar’s Cove (3.5km) – This might seem confusing as yesterday in Twillingate there was also a hike called “Spiller’s Cove” but this one is different and close to Bonavista. This one is also a must see and you may find another puffin colony here! When we were there the puffins were in the water, so binoculars can help you find them.
Stay: Seaside Cabins in Bonavista – A charming town with colourful houses and seaside vibes. A clean cabin that has a full kitchen and bathroom, is affordable and backs onto the ocean with a beach. Keep your eyes peeled for whales!
Day 6: Bonavista → Chance Cove → St. John’s
On our return east, we stopped at a lesser-known gem: Chance Cove Provincial Park.
Hike: Chance Cove Trail (~3.5km) – Easily one of the most scenic hikes of the trip. Picture turquoise waters, dramatic sea stacks, and almost no one around. There’s a cute beach (with jellyfish) and a stunning short hike that overlooks Chance Cove. The water colour here is unbelievable.
Hike: La Manche Suspension Bridge (~2km) – A quick hike to see a beautiful suspension bridge. Keep your eyes peeled for seals here! You can continue on and do a longer hike if you wish, but we just went to suspension bridge and back.
Stay: Best Western, St. John’s – Comfortable base for our final two nights. Placed perfectly for exploring this portion of Newfoundland.
Day 7: Whale Watching & East Coast Beauty
Morning:
🛥️ Ocean Safari with OceanQuest in Petty Harbour.
We suited up in red flotation suits and set out for a thrilling zodiac ride. We spotted whales, puffins, and even a sunfish! This is more than just your average “whale watch” tour; you’re exploring the cliffs of Newfoundland which also features waterfalls flowing into the Ocean and jellyfish everywhere. I highly recommend this experience, it was just incredible.
Afternoon Explorations:
- Cape Spear – The easternmost point in North America. Stop at the cafe and enjoy the hike down to the sign that shows the easternmost point.
- Cobblers Path (2.2km) – Part of the East Coast trail, this is my favourite hike of the entire trip. Don’t miss this one! Photos speak for themselves.
- Quidi Vidi Village – Charming fishing stages, a brewery stop, and classic Newfoundland character. Very photogenic!
- George Street – For live music, fish & chips at Duke of Duckworth, and some local brews. We came back to George St. three separate times because we enjoyed it so much.
Food Recs: Birdie for pastries, Bannerman Brewing Co. which is a brewery that serves coffee during the day, and Bagel Cafe for Touton Benedict.
Stay: Best Western, St. John’s
Day 8: Whale Watching & Departure
We squeezed in one last adventure before heading home and I am so happy we did!
Morning:
🐋 Gatherall’s Whale Watching – Another great experience on the water with dramatic coastal backdrops and a few playful humpbacks, but this time visiting Gull Island which is in Witless Bay Ecological Reserve. It is where the second largest puffin colony in the world goes to lay their eggs each year.
Afternoon:
We visited Signal Hill, and relaxed at Beachy Cove (where we found star fish on the beach) before our evening flight back to Toronto.
Prepping For A Trip To Newfoundland:
This Newfoundland road trip was a perfect mix of nature, culture, and adventure. If you love rugged coastlines, friendly locals, and the kind of beauty that stops you in your tracks, Newfoundland should be on your radar. However, I highly suggest doing some research on what time of year to go.
- Spring (April – June): Birdwatching, Iceberg Viewing, Fishing Season
- Summer (July – August): Whale Watching, Late Icebergs, Birdwatching, Festivals, Extended Daylight
- Fall (September – November): Fall Foliage, Harvest Season, Berry Picking
- Winter (December – March): Snow Sports, Winter Wildlife, Northern Lights
Weather is always unpredictable on islands, so pack layers before you go no matter what time of year.
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